Business Messaging
and Communication
Vocal’s industry experience and our
award-winning iModus system allows our
1500 clients to successfully tackle issues of
business continuity, emergency planning and
corporate communication.
Don’t just take our word for it though, try this special iModus
steVe Mellish FBCi
package for a month at no charge and use it to communicate
steve Mellish is head of business continuity for sainsbury’s supermarkets ltd
to your employees, stakeholders or groups of your choice
through SMS, email, voice message and our unique PrefMail
“Will we ever see a director of BCM at a permanent seat on
the board of directors?”
service. A package worth £2,000 is yours to experience with
unlimited usage, completely free for a month.
I found answering the question “Will we ever see a director of
BCM with a permanent seat on the board” quite simple and
instinctive. Whilst I would never say it won’t happen, I think
it is unlikely and indeed I don’t think it would be right. I do,
however, believe that the role of a business continuity manager
or head of business continuity should be a senior management
appointment, ideally reporting into a main board director.
“Why would this be?” you may ask. It would surely demonstrate
that a company who has a main board director solely
responsible for business continuity is really taking the matter
seriously. Well I have to say that I don’t agree.
I believe that every main board director should bear the
responsibility and accountability for business continuity for
their part of the business as well as doing so collectively as a
board of directors. By having only one director responsible and
accountable for business continuity capability, an organisation
runs the risk of other directors assuming they don’t have to give
full support and commitment to the subject – it will be done for
them. The first 50 companies that contact Vocal and quote
Business continuity is a risk management function and has to
‘Continuity Magazine’ will be awarded an exclusive free
be considered in its widest context. Would this therefore result
trial that will allow you to test the unique functionality and
in a director of risk management on the main board? I still
don’t think so as the main board of directors ultimately has the specialised modules that iModus has to offer, as well as
responsibility for managing the risk to the organisation and all
of its stakeholders.
including our corporate level customer support package.
There is of course a role for someone to be the ‘conscience’ of
the board and that arguably should sit with the chief executive Call 0800 035 0081 to secure your trial
offi cer. Realistically though, would the chief executive
take on business continuity amongst their other ‘ultimate’
or email us at sales@vocal.co.uk
responsibilities? I’m not convinced. However, one could argue
that risk is part of good governance so perhaps it should be the
company secretary?
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This opens up another debate for which I will have to defer as
my allocated column space has run out!
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Terms and Conditions
©istockphoto.com/lorrainedark
This one month free trial includes the iModus system, all start-up costs, 2 messaging groups, all
2  Continuity  January/February 2010 message usage and a corporate level customer support agreement.
This agreement is also subject to Vocal’s terms and conditions and fair usage policy .
Cont Jan/Feb 2010_insides.indd 12 3/2/10 14:49:43
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